1989

Michael Knighton tries to purchase Man United for £20 million

Back of the Net (Profit)Nowadays £20 million, in footballing terms, is a mere trifle. That will pick you up a second-rate defender or a half decent tea-lady in these baffling financial times. But back in 1989, this was the record breaking figure offered for the purchase of Manchester United football club by businessman Michael Knighton. With two other investors on board, Knighton engineered th... Read more >

1991

Soviet hardliners launch coup against Gorbachev

On this day in 1991, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev is placed under house arrest during a coup by high-ranking members of his own government, military and police forces. After becoming General Secretary of the Communist Party in 1985 and President of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.) in 1988, Gorbachev pursued comprehensive reforms of the Soviet system. Combining perestroik... Read more >